Gas customers rage about pump prices

[sandman]

sometimes if you buy more expensive gas (93 octane), it's cheaper on a per mile basis.

and you can save $$ by going to better gas stations. aamaco (or BP) and shell work best for me.

i'm sure this is common knowledge to people that know about cars, but just thought i'd mention.

Sometimes, yes...if your engine is knocking.? If not, higher octane fuel really does nothing for you.

gotcha.

do you know what would cause better gas mileage at certain gas stations?

i've tried it and i do get slightly better MPG when i go to BP compared to the no name gas station. my sample size isn't that large, but i work with accountants (calling these guys "anal" is the understatement of the year) and they track their mileage in a spreadsheet. they have two years worth of data, and they get $0.01 better per mile when they go to BP or shell.

the common belief is that the gas is slightly watered down. but i have never heard any evidence to support that.

[pilferk]

do you know what would cause better gas mileage at certain gas stations?

i've tried it and i do get slightly better MPG when i go to BP compared to the no name gas station. my sample size isn't that large, but i work with accountants (calling these guys "anal" is the understatement of the year) and they track their mileage in a spreadsheet. they have two years worth of data, and they get $0.01 better per mile when they go to BP or shell.

the common belief is that the gas is slightly watered down. but i have never heard any evidence to support that.

Could be a HUGE number of things.

Refining method, for one.? Additives and % of those additives for another.? It could also be as simple as temperature when gas is pumped (which, for a small sample would make almost no difference, but over a large sample like you're suggesting might make a bigger difference) or underground tank cleanliness and condensation at the station itself (all underground tanks have condensation and some water in the bottom of the tanks...in CT you're actually required to take daily measurements and it has to be within a certain tolerance level...but the actual measurement varies literally from day to day).? Those are just a very small sample of the literally 100's of reasons why you might see a difference.? Without a lot more data (including forumlation, weather, humidity levels, tank size,depth, and maintenance, etc) it would be impossible to say for sure.

[SLCPUNK]

Also best to get gas from a busy station, not a slow one............

[pilferk]

Also best to get gas from a busy station, not a slow one............

Yup, true.  Because that tank turnover will cut down on condensation and settlement of any tank sediment.  Better for both your mpg and your engine.

[SLCPUNK]

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